What happens if you do not wait the full 2 hours for the bread to cool?

The rewards of patience! for what it's worth, bread is never eaten hot in Germany. According to old wives, it give a person a bellache, but I think that was just a story they told to keep the bread fresh longer.

If it is still steaming when you cut into it, the lost moisture may result in a bread that dries out more quickly if there is any left over. Bread that sits a bit before it is cut has time to develop a bit more flavor, too--especially if it contains raisins or orange orlemon zest.

Its texture may be a bit "gummy", but if you've just gotta have it, do it!